Charles Harold Franklin

Charles “Chuck” Franklin Obituary 

Charles “Chuck” Franklin, age 83, of Red Bluff, CA passed away on Friday August 18th at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital after a short bout with pneumonia.  In his final days he was surrounded with loved ones and he will be greatly missed. 

Charles, known better by the name of Chuck, was born on May the 3rd, 1940, to parents Charles W. Franklin and Geraldine (Bruyn) Franklin.  His earliest years were on their farm in Monmouth, Illinois.  He spent his time helping his Mother as his Father served in WW II and as the oldest son became the man of the house as a teen.  He graduated from Green Ridge High School in 1958, and shortly after headed West to California with his cousin Darrell. He was later joined by his Grandmother whom all referred to as “Granny Franklin”.  This was the beginning of a lifetime of elder care by Chuck. There they settled in the Sacramento area, and Chuck starting working in the poultry industry in Elverta, CA.  In 1964 his best friend introduced him to his recently widowed sister in law, Aliece (Johnson) Shell.  He quickly fell in love with both Aliece and her two young children and they married in 1965, celebrating their 58th year of marriage the final week of Chuck’s life.  Chuck and Aliece moved to manage and later purchase Weber Egg Co in Rio Linda, CA, where they raised their growing family, adding first a daughter in 1968 and a son in 1969. 

Professionally Chuck, together with wife Aliece made a living working together as business owners, first as CA Poultry ranchers/egg producers in Rio Linda, CA and later as mobile home park owner operators, both in the Oroville and Lake Tahoe areas. They were strong believers in real estate and had many tenants in their rentals over the years. In 2004 they made the move to Chuck’s final residence and ranch, known informally as the “CAf” ranch to friends and family on Red Bank Road in Red Bluff, CA.  It is worth noting that over all of these moves Chuck and Aliece moved his widowed “aunties” along with them to each location, because for him, Family was everything.  Chuck raised beef for market and grew a herd of Texas longhorns, horses, mini horses and mini donkeys,hens and doves, just to love.  He loved the open spaces and country lifestyle to the end.

While it is impossible to describe the many sides of Chuck most will agree that he was always a helper. In his lifetime he was the one who got things done, especially for others. He was always a caretaker of his Granny and elderly aunties and yet was the life of the party in his younger years. He was infamous for his shenanigans and pranks as a youngster and delighted in dressing up in costumes and hosting parties as a young man. He was generous with others, took in many and loved Jesus.   He raised his family in church having volunteered many years as a trustee, deacon and church bus driver.  Chuck loved dressing dapper, picnics, pies, camping, skinny-dipping in a mountain river, climbing high trees and bridges, and Toyota trucks.  He delighted in collecting things of all types, loved all junk stores, and was a recycler before it ever became politically correct.  While not a sports fan in general he loved the Oakland A’s of the early 1970’s, attending many games in person with the family.  He also loved attending Big Time wrestling at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. He was a hard worker, a great listener and a man of few words. He was faithful. 

Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Aliece Franklin and his four children : son Randy Franklin, daughter Lesa Franklin-Johnson (Erik), daughter Jaylinn Burke (Danny), and son Charles Gregory Franklin (Angelina).  He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. He is also survived by foster sons Robert and Russell Losey and Richard and Larry Bates.  Foster son Leonard Losey preceded him in death.  Chuck leaves a beloved sister, Bonnie Jean Lazenby of Sedalia, MO(Charlie) and was preceded in death by his younger brothers Jerry Lee Franklin, 

Danny Franklin and Chris Franklin. Chuck is also survived by his younger sisters Cyndi Franklin (Ron) Anne Franklin and brother Dennis Taylor.  He is also survived by his very best life-long friend from school days and through all seasons of life,Don Pottorff. 

Services for Chuck will be held at East Lawn cemetery at 5757 Greenback Lane, Sacramento on Friday, August 25th at 2pm, graveside and reception following on site.   In lieu of flowers the family asks that you please consider a donation made in Chuck’s memory to the Red Bluff Garden Club, the Red Bluff Junior Round-Up or St. Jude’s Children’s hospital, all charities loved and supported by Chuck in his final years.